Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, led a bipartisan letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer arguing that he should not push for returning treatment of foreign-trade zones to the NAFTA approach, and instead, should allow goods manufactured in those zones to receive tariff benefits if they meet USMCA rules of origin. This issue has been hanging up a technical fixes bill since the summer (see 2007200021).
The Bureau of Industry and Security should apply the “minimal” necessary level of export controls on foundational technologies to prevent impacts on U.S. academic research, universities said in comments to the agency. BIS also should reexamine which technologies it defines as “emerging” because some are already commercially widespread, a British aerospace company said.
Cordell Hull, who has led the Bureau of Industry and Security for the last year (see 1911180040), will resign next month ahead of the incoming Joe Biden administration. His last day will be Dec. 4, a BIS spokesperson said. “I am proud of what we have achieved on important issues of national security at BIS and I have decided to look for the next challenge in the private sector,” Hull said in a Nov. 19 statement. “I am grateful to Secretary [Wilbur] Ross for giving me this opportunity to serve.”
The Canada government issued the following trade-related notice as of Nov.18 (some may also be given separate headlines):
The U.S. and other governments need to substantially increase outreach with industry before continuing to pursue export controls over emerging technologies, experts said. Although the U.S. and other governments do some outreach work, future controls will be ineffective and difficult to comply with without more industry input, they said. “It’s [like] trying to change a tire while we’re driving down the road,” said Scott Jones, a senior adviser at the Strategic Trade Research Institute, speaking during a Nov. 17 webinar hosted by STRI. “Going forward, it fundamentally has to be much more collaborative.’
A Taiwan resident and two companies were charged with participating in a conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions against Iran, the Justice Department said Nov. 10. Chin Hua Huang was a sales agent for Taiwan business DES International Co. and Brunei company Soltech Industry Co., and all three conspired to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, Justice said. They were also sanctioned by the Treasury Department earlier this week (see 2011100025).
The Canada government issued the following trade-related notices as of Nov. 11 (some may also be given separate headlines):
The Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four people and six companies that helped procure U.S.-origin electronics components and other “sensitive” goods for an Iranian military firm, the agency said Nov. 10. OFAC said the network of people and companies helped ship the items to Iran Communication Industries, which produces military communications systems, electronic warfare items, missile launchers and other goods for Iran.
The United Kingdom Nov. 6 updated its guidance on trade with South Korea after the U.K. leaves the European Union. The updated guidance now includes new details on origin quotas and other trade information. The trade agreement with South Korea takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.
The Canada government issued the following trade-related notices as of Nov. 9 (some may also be given separate headlines):